Utah: Aston Martin Racing Thursday test report

Ahead of the DBR9's debut race at the brand new Miller Motorsports
Park on Saturday, the team today commenced their preparations with a one
and a half hour practice session prior to Friday's qualifying
session. All four of the Aston Martin Racing...

Ahead of the DBR9's debut race at the brand new Miller Motorsports
Park on Saturday, the team today commenced their preparations with a one
and a half hour practice session prior to Friday's qualifying
session. All four of the Aston Martin Racing drivers had a chance to try
out the new circuit.

George Howard-Chappell, Team Principal, Aston Martin Racing: "Quite
a good session for us. I think that there are some challenges, obviously
coming to a new track there is a lot to learn, the drivers all need to
learn the circuit, we need to learn how to set the car up here and we
need to select the correct tyres for the circuit, which is certainly
going to be a challenge.

"All in all though it was a good session, the drivers were all
sensible, the team worked very well in terms of trying to understand what
we needed from the car and the drivers."

CAR 007: 2nd GT1 (11th overall)

Tomas Enge (Czech Republic): "The track reminds me a little bit of
the track in Dubai, the corners are pretty similar, you have similar type
of second and third gear corners, long corners, double apexes, it is
unique here. It also reminds me of Dubai because of the sand beside the
track. It's quite difficult, if you go off the racing line slightly
there is no grip and there is a lot of sand so you start to slide. You
really have to be careful to stay on your line.

"The temperature inside the car was good when I started the session
and it is even cooler now but you are working very hard, the only place
you have to rest for a few seconds is the main straight. The rest of the
lap you are cornering, shifting up or down or braking. I would be happy
if we had more grip but I think we are pretty satisfied with the way it
has gone so far and we are working on the best solution for the race on
Saturday."

Darren Turner (UK): "It is hard to get a good flow going with the
track. It is getting easier to drive but I'm not finding it that
enjoyable at the moment, as you can't see where you are going. The
track drops away and merges into the sand so you can't see where
the edge of the track is which makes it hard to commit to the corner. It
is late in the day now and the sun is quite low which is not helping.

"I'm sure that the circuit is going to be a lot of fun but
most drivers are struggling with the fact that there are no reference
points around the track.

"We have been trying low and high down force set ups, we are
learning the track and trying to get a tyre to work with the track as
well, it has been a frustrating session for me."

CAR 009: 1st GT1 (10th overall)

Andrea Piccini (Italy): "I'm happy with my laps. I
wasn't taking any big risks just trying to learn the circuit.

"There are two corners which I still haven't understood yet,
but I have only had six or seven laps. The circuit is pretty nice but the
grip is very low.

"The major problem I have is that I am not used to driving at
sunset and it is very difficult to see the circuit and so it is easy
loose your place, I couldn't see some of the corners so I had to
back off but it is quite ok, I just need to get used to the
circuit."

Stephane Sarrazin (France): "It's good. I have a good
feeling with the track. It is a very long track, and difficult with many
corners and sliding. There is only one line so it is very easy to make a
mistake and there is gravel and sand around everywhere.

"It is quite hot outside but in the car it's ok, we have the
cool suits. I didn't do many laps with the car yet but I'm
sure we can improve."